Portable, hand-held, in-situ electrochemical sensor for evaluating corrosion and adhesion on coated or uncoated metal structures
US6054038A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 8, 1998 |
| Grant date | Apr 25, 2000 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 8, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01N33/32
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A hand-held and flexible corrosion sensor is described that uses electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS, also known as AC impedance) to detect coating degradation and corrosion of coated and uncoated metals. The hand-held and flexible corrosion sensor is pressed against the surface of the structure of specimen to be inspected, and may be either straight in structural configuration in the form of a pen or bent in a curved or angled manner to achieve better access to the structure. An EIS spectrum can than be obtained in the field or under arbitrary conditions and the degree of coating or material degradation can be determined from the resultant spectrum. There are no restrictions on the configuration of the structure being inspected. The area of detection is controlled by moderating the extent and degree of wetness of the surface. A dry surface will provide a localized measurement; a wet surface will allow inspection of the wetted area.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.